Cozumel Sun News July 16, 2021

Follow me

Cozumel Sun News July 16: AstraZeneca Vaccine for the 30 to 39 Age Group, Quintana Roo Semafaro July 19 – 25, Tourism versus COVID Reporting, The Sargazo situation, The Ferry Situation Between Playa and Cozumel, The Cruise Ships Return to Cozumel, No Vaccination Necessary on Cruise Ships Coming Soon, and more!

AstraZeneca Vaccine for the 30 to 39 Age Group

Today is the last day for the 30 to 39 age group to get vaccinated. Apparently due to a social media rumor, pertaining to safety of this brand, there has been a disappointing number of participants. (I also believe some people in this age group are back to work and do not dare ask for the time off.)

Due to the surplus, they are opening it up to everyone 30 years and up, including protected groups of any age such as pregnant women. The vaccination site is at San Gervacio Dome from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

The AstraZeneca Vaccine is safe

Taken from the World Health Organization

As of 19 April 2021, the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective at protecting people from the extremely serious risks of COVID-19, including death, hospitalization, and severe disease. Read the 16 April 2021 statement of the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which covers reports of exceedingly rare side effects. Full Report Here: WHO AstraZeneca Vaccine.

Quintana Roo Semafaro July 19 – 25

From Governor Carlos Joaquin

Quintana Roo, from July 19 to 25, the # SemáforoEstatal remains orange.  Remember that vaccines reduce the risk of getting seriously ill, but they DO NOT make us immune. Wear a mask and reinforce health habits. #PonteVIVO

Cozumel News July 16, 2021 Continued

Aurita´s Cozumel Corner

What is Going on?

Here is how I see things. Human Nature rules and people are tired of being inside, of following rules, and a good number are refusing to be vaccinated. The United States is entering the fourth wave of COVID. Everyone eligible for a vaccine in the United States has had an opportunity to do so.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General this morning the people that are dying and filling hospitals during this wave have not been vaccinated. He was very emotional as he described the current death tolls as needless deaths.

Here in Cozumel, the age group of 40 to 49 years are waiting for their second dose. The 30-to-39-year age group are receiving their first dose this week.  We are a few months behind the United States in the availability of the vaccines.

Tourism versus COVID Reporting

I have had a difficult time putting out timely Cozumel Sun Issues. I am still physically or Healthwise function at 50%. Then there is the heat. However, to be truthful, positive information of any sort has been hard to find. I am taking the glass is half empty approach to the tourism increase.

First, the new format that reports the total COVID-19 deaths and infections do not break it down for us on the island. The government continues to keep us in ORANGE, which I think is politically and economically motivated. Mind you, this is my opinion.

The hospital I belong to was at 90% occupancy last week. If IMSS is at that high a level, I bet that Cozumel General is higher. Second, firsthand knowledge of people that I know have been infected recently and death notices on Facebook. Our veterinarian Dr, Julio has been fighting for his life in the hospital.

The Sargazo Situation on the Mainland

Out of necessity I have made two trips to Playa del Carmen in recent weeks. The Sargazo situation is bad. The seaweed is covering the shore faster than they can dispose of it. In addition to the appearance, it smells. ruining beach days for the tourists.

The Ferry Situation Between Playa and Cozumel

Possibly connected, the ferries are packed with tourists heading to and from Cozumel. Facebook posts have shown photographs of lines blocks long waiting to get on the ferry. One reached the Cozumel Museum. No one in these lines are socially distancing and there is no one monitoring the wearing of masks in these lines. I did see ferry employees reminding tourists to put on their masks when they were arriving in Playa. This is the only time that I have seen any reinforcement.

The ferry companies are still taking turns running every other day and refusing to add a second ferry to accommodate the need. Both times I went to Playa the ferry was filled OVER CAPACITY. There were no empty seats, in fact some people were standing.

The Cruise Ships Return to Cozumel

The Rules Between Cruise Lines Differ

Yes, the ships are slowly coming back. Unfortunately, some have not been allowed off the ships unless they were in large tour groups organized by the Company. A reader contacted me that when he and his wife arrived last week their only option to get to the beach was a crowded bus carrying about 75 passengers. Wherever they went his wife, who is a healthy 74-year-old was not allowed to swim because of her age.

They were not allowed off the ship on their own. They were told it was a Mexican Government rule due to the pandemic. I promised to investigate and get back to him after he emailed me more details. His call was late at night, realizing that I would never remember the details like name of the ship, I asked him to please email me a reminder.

I was downtown last week and there were tourists milling around. However, if they were off a different cruise line or had come from Playa del Carmen, I have no clue. Masks and social distancing were obviously optional as they roamed the town square.

No Vaccination Necessary on Cruise Ships Coming Soon!

This morning´s United States News announced that people boarding Cruise ships departing from Florida will not need to be vaccinated effective August first! They will be required however to buy medical insurance to cover the expenses should they become infected

The Cozumel Sun Community Assistance

Serving the Cozumel Community for 15 years

Over the past fifteen years we have done it all with the help our readers and sponsors. We have provided drop in Meals, Groceries, Medical Emergencies, Medicine, Clothing, School Supplies, Tuitions, Testing Fees, Shelter Repairs, Business Training and Start-Up, Christmas & Three Kings Day Gifts for children. In the past two months we have been feeding 11 – 13 people daily in our household alone.

Here is your community on-line Resource! Cannot find an answer? Contact The Cozumel Sun News and we will assist you!

Cozumel Sun Medications Currently on Hand

Alprazolam-2 mg – Xanax – Anxiety and panic disorder (sleeping) 3 boxes of 30, Enalapril 10 mg. – Blood Pressure. 4 boxes of 30 tablets, and HFA  Beclometasona – Aerosol 50 mcg Inhaler

Medical Equipment Available

We have a loaner wheelchair, Crutches, nebulizer, and a portable bedside toilet. Walkers and canes are always in demand as we give them away. If anyone has some extras around the house, feel free to drop them off to us. We donate the walkers and canes we receive to the elderly. NOTE: Our Crutches are back and available!

Other Medical Supplies

We have an assortment of braces, medical support hose, and miscellaneous medication and supplies in our trusty family locker. Always check with us. Once a year we clean house and donate everything on hand to DIF or another agency to distribute. However, we quickly start accumulating donations and items that our own large extended family collects.

Donate to The Cozumel Sun

We function ON DONATIONS ONLY. Please lend your support. Help us continue to serve the people of Cozumel. During the Pandemic, our resources have been extended to the Community Kitchens that are feeding hundreds in Cozumel.

Other Ways to Help

As a result of the lingering COVID symptoms it takes everything in my power to continue The Cozumel Sun. You can help a number of ways. Feel free to contribute articles. If you belong to a community organization, make certain that I have it listed in Donate or Volunteer. Please Email me any corrections or additions.

Procedures are constantly changing in Mexico. If you conclude a transaction, please check and make certain that my version of the process is current. Even better, write about the process and send it to me. I can publish it and update the information in The Cozumel Sun Website. Last of all, if you see a typo, please let me know. I will be grateful! I have no editor or staff to check my work. 

Cozumel News July 16, 2021 Continued

Here are Some of Our Friends!

The Cozumel Sun News promotes Local businesses for FREE in The Cozumel Sun Facebook Group !

Cozumel Now Radio in English!